Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations.
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
Compared to other ecological sites within this MLRA, the low level of soil development limits plant diversity and available food and cover for wildlife. The plant community provides a mixture of forbs and shrubs throughout the growing season, offering suitable habitat for native invertebrates. Mule deer and elk are the large herbivores using the site. The site provides seasonal habitat for resident and migratory animals including Clark’s nutcracker, chipping sparrow, red squirrel, sagebrush lizard, shrews, bats, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark and western meadowlark. Encroachment of noxious and invasive plant species (cheatgrass and medusahead) in isolated areas can replace native plant species which provide feed, brood-rearing and nesting cover for a variety of native wildlife. The loss of herbaceous understory vegetation can have a negative impact on ground nesting birds, while the loss of shrub and tree cover negatively affects both ground and shrub nesting avians. Water features are sparse provided by seasonal streams, artificial water catchments and springs.
State 1 Phase 1.1 – Limber Pine/ Antelope Bitterbrush/ Nevada Bluegrass/ Mountain Big Sagebrush Reference Plant Community (RPC): This plant community provides a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs, used by native insect communities that assist in pollination. An extensive array of forbs and shrubs are in bloom throughout the growing season leading to a diverse insect community. Many avian and mammal species utilize this habitat based on the availability of invertebrate prey species. The reptile community is represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard, western skink and western rattlesnake. Clark’s nutcracker is beneficial to the site as it is the principal vector for planting limber pine. Native shrub-steppe obligate avian species (Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage-grouse and sage thrasher) may use the site if limber pine is sparse. As the canopy cover of limber pine increases the use of this phase by shrub-steppe obligate species declines. The plant community provides seasonal forage (antelope bitterbrush, Nevada and Sandberg bluegrass) and thermal cover for mule deer and elk. The coarse subsoil material would limit burrowing mammals but a small population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks and yellow-bellied marmots could be expected on the site. Pikas may utilize the site if adjacent to rocky open areas. The deer mouse is beneficial to this site as it is the principal vector for planting bitterbrush seed.
State 1 Phase 1.2- Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Nevada Bluegrass/ Limber Pine Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management and normal fire frequency. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush results in a sparse herbaceous understory. Available pollinator habitat is reduced as is the diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile community is represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard and western skink. The reduction of grasses and forbs in the plant community would reduce the available prey species and cover for these resident reptile species. Fewer prey species and less understory cover results in limited food, brood-rearing and nesting habitat for bird species. Clark’s nutcracker and chipping sparrow would still utilize the site if limber pine is still part of the plant community. Key shrub-steppe obligate bird species include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow and sage thrasher and may benefit from the increase in sagebrush. Seasonal forage habitat for mule deer and elk would be reduced due to loss in vigor and amounts of grasses and antelope bitterbrush. Small mammal population would be similar to Phase 1.1. Pikas may be present in areas with adjacent open rocky habitat. The deer mouse is beneficial to this site as it is the principal vector for planting bitterbrush seed.
State 1 Phase 1.3 –Nevada Bluegrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass Plant Community Plant Community: This plant community is the result of fire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little or no sagebrush or antelope bitterbrush would provide less vertical structure for animals. Insect diversity would be reduced but a diverse native forb plant community would still support select pollinators. An increase in rabbitbrush would provide late season pollinator habitat. The reptiles, including short horned lizard and sagebrush lizard would be limited or excluded due to the loss of sagebrush. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation with little sagebrush canopy cover would prevent use of these areas as nesting habitat by Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow and sage thrasher. This plant community provides limited brood-rearing habitat for sage- grouse if adjacent sagebrush cover is provided. The loss of limber pine in this phase eliminates habitat for the Clark’s nutcracker. The dominant herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). Mule deer and elk would use site for seasonal forage needs but the site would offer little thermal cover and young of year cover.
State 2 – Sandberg Bluegrass/ Cheatgrass Plant Community:
This plant community is the result of continued improper grazing management, frequent fire or continued uncontrolled surface disturbance activities. Invasive herbaceous plants and patches of root sprouting shrubs like rabbitbrush and can be present. With the loss of forbs the plant community does not support a diverse insect community. The reduced forb and shrub component in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Native reptile species are not supported with food, water or cover. This plant community does not support the habitat requirements for sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow or sage sparrow. Diversity of grassland avian species is reduced due to poor cover and available food. Birds of prey including hawks and falcons may range throughout these areas looking for prey species. Mule deer and elk may utilize the herbaceous vegetation in the early part of the year when the invasive annuals (cheatgrass) are more palatable. At other times of the year large mammals would not regularly utilize these areas due to poor food and cover conditions. Poor cover for small mammals would allow more predation and the plant community would favor seed eating mammal species.
Grazing Interpretations.
The site is best used by livestock in the late spring, summer, and fall. The steep slopes and surface stones limit some access by livestock.
Estimated initial stocking rate will be determined with the landowner or decision-maker. They will be based on the inventory which includes species, composition, similarity index, production, past use history, season of use, and seasonal preference. Calculations used to determine estimated initial stocking rate will be based on forage preference ratings.
Recreational uses
This site has limited opportunities for hiking and horseback riding due to steep slopes and surface stones. The site has many forbs for spring flowering photography. There are some opportunities for big game and upland bird hunting. Cross country skiing is possible on this site during the winter.
Wood products
Some firewood may be present from dead and down Limber pine
Other information
Field Offices
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